Part 27 (1/2)

ON SERVICE.

”Here, d.i.c.k, lad--bit of news for you,” said Wyatt a few hours later, after giving a heavy thump with his fist on the door, and then striding into his friend's room.

”Indeed!” said d.i.c.k quietly, and without showing a sign of knowing what it was. ”Good or bad?”

Wyatt screwed up his mouth, and shook his head at his companion.

”How precious innocent we are,” he said. ”But it won't do.”

”What's your news?”

”Bob Hanson's let off.”

”I'm glad of it,” said d.i.c.k.

”Won't do, I tell you. You mean morsel. Didn't I see you sneaking over to the general's quarters this morning? Didn't you go from there to the cells. Didn't you come away and go straight to Hulton with the general's despatch.”

”Yes--yes?--yes.”

”Well, you might have told me, d.i.c.ky.”

”I did not feel that I ought to say a word to any one.”

”You told Hulton?”

”Not a word. I only gave him the general's order, and came away.”

”Well, never mind; I'm very glad, and I forgive you this time. But that isn't the news.”

”What is, then?”

”Serve you right not to tell you, only I won't be mean. We march to-morrow.”

”To-morrow!” cried d.i.c.k excitedly. ”Where to?”

”Soojeepur.”

”Ah!”

”Up in the hill country, my lad.”

”Are we at war, or is it to a fresh station?”

”We're not at war; but, as far as I've heard, the Rajah is. But you heard before?”

”Yes,” said d.i.c.k. ”With some neighbouring chief.”

”That's it. Well, the Company wants to keep on good terms with him, and we're going up to help his highness. So the Company does not want an enemy on his borders, but a friend. So see to your traps. I expect we shall get the route to-morrow, and march in the evening.”

”How far is it?”